If I were to pass out Flyers to advertise my business, is that soliciting?

Question

I'm a photographer and I need to advertise my business. Everyone keeps telling me to pass out flyers to promote my business but I'm afraid of getting a ticket or something. Help please I need to advertise!

Answer 1

Solicitation is a restricted form in which flyers and such types of advertising is permitted. If for instance you are at a home show of sorts...it is appropriate to hand out flyers. If , however, you are placing your flyer on someones windshield in a parking lot...that is considered restricted solicitation. A good way to promote your flyers is to associate yourself with other businesses that have customers in association with your photography business. Get permission from the owners to hand out flyers. Flyers really are not the best avenue for getting your business known though. You should try going through community outreach groups like your local chamber and BNI groups which focus on referrals to your business. Your work will speak volumes. Word of mouth is the best avenue for your type of business. Place a display in a mall showing your work along with a special on portraits. Offer your photography skills also to the local newspaper for special pictures they want displayed to get your name known. Make certain the Schools in your area know about you. Perhaps talk with the area Principals about taking class photos and graduation pictures. This will give you the edge you are seeking. I have more ideas if you are interested. Feel free to e-mail me from my personal page.

Answer 2

My question is why are you handing them out at apartment buildings? You're renting text books, so go to people who you know would have the money and interest in renting them - parents, college students, guidance counselor offices and the like. There are bulletin boards you can post these flyers where the right people will see them and it wouldn't seem out of place. You're providing a service around a product. You're not shy or you would not have opened a store, your confidence is low. If you must call before seeing anyone, call guidance counselors and teachers at the schools in your area first. Make an appointment if it helps to describe what you do, take 5 flyers with you and then ask where can you post them. Even private schools, large universities and anyone who you can think of that can get you in front of the people you need to reach. Don't forget to check for home-school organizations, members are always looking for a less expensive way to get the curriculum guides they need for less. Good luck

Answer 3

Yes, but why should you be afraid to pass flyer's out, people do it all the time. Why don't you post your flyer's on boards at businesses and advertise in local papers, and shoppers. Good Luck.

Answer 4

Just don't pass them out at malls or anything like that. You can get in trouble because you are considered the competition. One thing you could do is show your portfolio around town by placing a sample of your photos in a flyer. Another thing you could do is offer to do family photo's at a discount rate. Until you have enough photos to build a nice sized portfolio.

Answer 5

Many firms hand out flyers as a part of their advertising and marketing campaigns. Check the laws in your area if you are concerned about this before incurring the cost of designing and producing the flyer.

Answer 6

Check the local laws, as sometimes you need a permit. Check with mailing and marketing firms- the same ones that put the nice doorhangers on your door. They will be able to help you with the production and the distribution. They also can do a small dist in a specific area, so you are not paying to blanket the entire town.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

um, that's the definition of soliciting. Who do you know already? I got a TON of business through my church. They wanted to do a new directory and BAM! You should talk to people that you already know. It totally works.